Automatic machine for applying stamps or the like



April 9, 1940. GASCA 2,196,792

' AUTOMA'I'IC MACHINE FOR APPLYING STAMPS on THE LIKE Filed Jan. 24, 19:59 a Sheets-Sheet 1 I 6 202 I o @5 79 78 0 7.2 Aria 2 m [1. 4 46a '81 12$ i 111 April 1940- A. GA'cA P 2,196,792

AUTOMATIC MACHINE FOR APPLYING STAMPS on THE LIKE Filed Jan. 24, 4939 's Sheets-Sheet 2 PIC-3.2

Fl 6 EE 11 FIGJO April 9, 19.40. A, Asc 2,196,792

- AUTOMATIC MACHINE F on APPLYING STAMPS on THE LIKE Filed Jan. 24, 1959 s Sheets-Sheet s FIG.5

A. GASCA AUTOMATIOMACHINE FOR APPLYING STAMPS OR THE L IKE Filed Jan. 24, 1959 s Sheets- Sheet 4 wdE 2,196,792 AUTOMATIC MACHINE FOR APPLYING STAMPS OR THE LIKE April 9, 1940.

A. GASCA File d Jan. 24, 1939 a Sheets-Sheet 5' mw mw HHN A. GASCA April 9, 1940.

AUTOMATIC MACHINE FOR APPLYING STAMPS OR THE LIKE FiledJan. 24, 1939 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 April 9, 1940.

I A. GASCA AUTOMATIC MACHINE FOR APPLYING STAMPS OR THE LIKE Filed Jan 24, 1959 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 TQM April ,1 A. GAscA 2,196,792

AUTOMATIC MACHINE FOR APPLYING STAMPS OR THE LIKE Filed Jan. 24, 1939 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 Patented Apr. 9, 1940 AUTOMATIC MACHINE- FOR, APrLvING STAMPS on THE LIKE Albin Gasca, Paria'France i Application January 24, 1939, SerialNo. 252,701 2 In France MarchJZQ, 1938- teams. (01. 2 16 11) This invention relates .to a machine for providing sheets,packets or the like with postage stampsor the like of the type, wherein use is made of postage stamps or the like in ribbon form, the stamps of each ribbon being separated from the adjoining stamps by perforations, a selected one of the ribbons being advanced by claws in front of the-stamp moistener and a pad which, after severing of the ribbon by a knife, 1 applies the severed portion to a packet or the out breaking or stopping the operations of mois-' tening, cutting and sticking. I

g. The machine is electrically blocked when the supply of. stamps is exhausted. A luminous indicato'r is provided, and the stamped packet is automatically ejected by the same means which served to start the operation of the motor. .The

'30 only 'manual operation to be performed by the operator, should such be necessary, is that of operating a steering wheel to bring the device for stamping'in frontof the type of stamps to be applied. 1 v 35 The various elementsof the machine which are utilized in combination, will be indicated in the course of the description of the annexeddrawings which represent an-example of a machine constructed according to the invention,

' provided wit-h'three diiferent rolls of ribbons, but

it is obvious that a larger number may be provided if so desired.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front view.

43 Fig. 2 is a plan view.

Flg. 3 is a section according to 3-3 of Fig. 1.

. Fig. 4 is a section according, to 44 of Fig. l.

5 is a section according'to 5-5 of Fig; 1. Fig. 6 is a section according to 6-6 of Fig. 1.

56 Fig. '7 showsa rear view of the knife for seve ering the stamps.

Fig. 8 is an axial section of the plunger for applying the stamps.

Fig. 9 is a side view, on alarger scale, of the 55' pad covering the head of the plunger.-

Fig. 10 is a corresponding plan view. I Fig. 11 is a section according to H-I|- of Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a section according to |2-l2 0f Fig. 9.

Fig. 1.3 is-a section according to I3-I3 of Fig. 10.

Fig. 14 is a side view, on a larger scale, of the device for wetting the'moistening roller.

Fig. 15 is a corresponding front view. 0 Fig. 16 is a plan view of the stamp bearing cari."iage.'- Q I v Fig. 17 is a section according to 'll.--l'l of f Fig. 16; e

Fig. 1a is a section according to-line ls-i's 1,5 of Fig. 17. I

Fig. 19 is a plan view, on a larger scale, of the. sliding piecefor the progress of the, stamps., Fig. 20 is a section according to'line 2ll-2ll of Fig. 19. A

Fig. 21 is a side view of the machine. s Fig. 22 is a section according to line 22-22 of Fig.1. f Fig. 23 isa-detail, view, showing, in section,

the mechanism for moistening the stamps. 2,5 i

Fig. 24 is a similar view, but from another position, showing the cutting of a ribbon of stamps.

Fig. '25 is a plan view showing the supporting plate forthe packages or the like, when a device i forapplyinga second stamp is used.

Fig. 26 is a section accordingflto 26-26 of Fi 25.- A i Fig. 2'7 is a diagrammatical view of the electric circuit provided for the operation of the machine.

- The machine comprises a stamp bearing carriage I which "is mounted on fixed stays Z of the machine, in such a manner asto be able to slide the length of these, when it is desired to 40 change the type of stamps to be applied, as will be seen-further on. This carriage comprises, as shown, three passages or grooves-3 of which the I bottom t is formed by an arcuate surface. This bottom t'carries a middle rib 5 and lateral ribs t and l anynumber of these ribs can be. provided: The bottom 4 may, for example, only carry one central, rib. A cover 8, with downturned sides 9, covers each of these grooves. The

co-operation of the bottom! and of the cover 3 therefore imposes on the stamps I 0 moving along the grooves, a slightly arched form; on the other hand, the presence 'of'the ribs, such as 5, ensures j an empty space between the stamps and the bottom. 4.

Towards their forward ends the covers 8 are formed with windows II, thereby leaving the surface of the stamps exposed for a certain length. The forward end portions of the covers 8 and the bottoms 4 are slightly curved downwards to form entrances I2.

At the rear end of the carriage I between cheeks I3 and I4, an axle I5 is arranged on which rolls of stamps I6 are mounted, three in number in the present example. Upon each of these rolls a pressing roller III is applied each roller being mounted at the end of an arm I8 articulated around an axle I9, and actuated towards the corresponding roll by a blade spring 20.

The covers 8 terminate a short distance before. the rear end of the carriage. Perforations 2! are formed in the bottoms 4 towards this end and beyond the said covers; and above each of these perforations a lozenge 22 is arranged atthe end of a flexible arm 23 mounted on an axle 24 in such a manner that the lozenges 22 take hold upon the ribbons of stamps issuing from the rolls I6 as long as the said ribbons are presented opposite the perforations 2 I.

Pulleys 3I and 32 are keyed to a shaft 33 extending longitudinally of the machine and provided with an operating wheel 34 at its front end. A cable is wound upon the pulleys 3| and 32 with portions andi20 extending in opposite directions from the pulleys and upwardly at sides of the machine, as shown in Figure 1, where they are engaged with guide pulleys 29 and and brought inwardly, as shown in Figure 2, and connected to opposite sides of the carriage I through the medium of retractile springs "21 and 28. v

The carriage I has a ledge 35 running transversely thereof in which notches 35 are formed to the right of the grooves 3. These notches cooperate with a mounted latch 31 pivoting around an axle 38, and which, beyond this, is extended by means of a crank arm39 pivoted at the end of a small connecting rod 40. This rod is pivoted at its other end to a lever 4I rigid with a sleeve 4I mounted freely around a transversely extending shaft 42 mounted was to rotate in the frame of the machine. The arm 43 of this lever when depressed serves to turn the sleeve and exert pull upon the rod to release the latch 31 from the notches 36, against the action of a spring 42, attached at one end of the spring 45 of the connecting rod 40 and at its other end engaged about the neck46 of a fixed column 41 a of the machine.

Referring to Figure 5 it will be seen that a tenon 48 is rigid with a sleeve M keyed on the shaft 42 and is engaged ina recess 49 formed in a small block 50 which is connected to a similar block Si by means of a coil spring 52. The block 55 is mounted for pivoting on a head 53 of a screw 54, by means of a point 55 engaging in a. recess arranged on the said head. The sleeve 4I is provided with a slot 43 in which is engaged a spur 4 i driven into the shaft 42. 7

Above the carriage there are two rails 56 and 51 for guiding a sliding piece 58 having a central to. a lever I4.

00 which presses with friction against a tenon G'I rigid with the sliding piece 58. 1

On the arm BI is pivotally mounted a connecting rod 68 joined at its other end to a crank arm 69 keyed on a rocker shaft 10, extending transversely of the machine.

On this shaft another crank arm II is keyed at the end of which a connecting rod I2 is pivoted, the rod I2 being of adjustable length, by

means of a screw-nut I3, and at its front pivoted This lever is pivoted around a transversely extending axle I5, and has a roller l6 engaged in a cam path or groove formed in a disc I8, keyed on a transversal shaft I9.

On the lever I4 2. driving rod is fixed and extends laterally therefrom with one end in position for contact with a tumbler 8I,, keyed on an axle 82 mounted for rotation in the frame 83 of the machine. This axle has a squared extension 84 upon which is slidably mounted a-block B5.bearing a finger 86; this finger being engaged in a slotted armB'I having a bearing 88 slidably carried by the adjacent fixed stay in a sliding manner the length ofthe rigid traverse 2. The arm 81 bears a lamp 81.

The block has in addition a bent digit 89 v susceptible of co-operating, according to the position of the said block, withone orthe other the meters 9|, 92 and 93 respective y, which; advance one unit each time that theircorrespondin'g crank arm receives an impulse from the digit 89. j:

On the front of the machine is fixed, by means of lugs 94, a guiding part 95 in the shapeof a cylinder in which a plunger 98 may slide. This is formed with a channel 91 having its upper end extended forwardly at right angles and communicating with a pipe 98 to which a flexible tube 99 is attached. This flexible tube extends from a suction pump I00 fixed to the inside of the frame of the machine, at the rear thereof as shown in Figures 1 and 5.

The lower end of the plunger 96 terminates in a pressure head IOI covered by a pad I02 of an elastic material;' formed with a central perforation I03 communicating with the channel 91. The inner surface of the pad I02 is formed with recesses or hollows I04 as shown in Figures 12 and 13.

At the back of the guide 95 is mounted a knife I05 having its lower part formed with a cutting blade I06 of convex form in the example shown, and having teeth I0'I as shown in Fig. '7. On the support I08 of the knife, slots I 09am formed co-operating with guiding screws IIO fixed in a rigid piece or presser plate III. The anvil III is located below the knife.

Between the tenons IIZ of the support I08 and the brackets II3 of the plunger 96 coil-springs Il l'are arranged. The head II5 of the plunger 96 is perforated axially, the perforation being closed by a screw I'IIi. The head II5 has in addition two slots II! and H8 which communicate with the perforation and serve for the passage of an oscillating arm H9 keyed on a transversely extending shaft I20. The arm IIB may make contact with the plunger towards the top and towards the bottom of the perforation, through the medium of bearings I2I and I22 as shown in Figures 23 and 24.

On the shaft I20 is keyed a crank arm I23 impelled to pressure against a lever I24 by a spring I25 interposed between those two parts as shown in Figure 4. The lever I24 which is loosely mounted around the axle 15'hasat' one point in its length a roller I26 engaged in an eccentric groove formed in a cam I2! arranged on a disc I28, keyed on a shaft I9.

Two blades I29 and I3!) are pivotally mounted at the front of the machine by screws I3-I and I32. They are constantly urged towards each other by a spring I33 and co-operate' with the pipe 98 to oppose a certain resistance to'the descending movement of the plunger 85. On'the arm III} is mounted a box I34 between the sides of which an axle I35 is fixed serving as a pivot for a bell crank lever I 36. One of the ends of this lever is enlarged to form a head I 3'! which co-operates with an edge I38 of the knife I93. The other end of this lever carries a cross pin slidablyengaged in the slots I39 formed on the side walls of the box I34. A spiral spring I40 is interposed between the end MI of the lever I36 and a fixed point of the box.

A toothed wheel I 42 is keyed on the shaft 79 and meshes with a pinion I43 of which the axle I44 is rotatably mounted in the side walls of a basin I45. In the bottom M6 of this basin, a

resistance constituting an electrical heating unit I48 is embedded. In the frontwall I49 a pocket I50 is provided for receiving a thermostat to cause cuttingoff of the current circulating in the resistance I48 when the water in the basin M5 attains a predetermined temperature.

In the water in the basin is partly submerged a drum I5I, which is keyed on the axle IM. This between two uprights I fixed to the lateral .versely extending shaft I56.

other crank arm- I5! is keyed and connected by sides of the basin I45. This drum is applied in a flexible manner against the drum I5I, and its I58 extending transversely of the threads I52.

With the drum I53 a moisternng roller I51! may,

cooperate which is of a slightly ovoid shape formed of a soft rubber composition. This roller is rotatably mounted on an axle I58 mounted at the ends of two connecting rods I59 each movably mounted at the lower end of a lever its. These levers are mounted to oscillate around an axle ISI. At an intermediary point I62 of the lever I613 a connecting rod I53 is attached, which is moreover of an adjustable length due to a screwbolt system I64 and which is at. its other end pivoted to a crank arm I65 keyed on a trans- On this shaft ana connecting rod N58 to a lever I69, mounted for oscillating movement around the shaft 18, and having intermediate its length a roller I II engaged in an eccentric cam groove I72 formed in a plate or disc I13, which is keyed on the shaft 19.

On the lever I69 the piston rod I M of pump Hill is secured. g p

Springs I75 are interposed between each of the connecting rods I63 and the corresponding connecting rod I55. Triangles I'Iti are mounted for oscillating movement around an axle IT! on rigid cheeks il'l of each side of the guide 95. A blade spring tends to maintain these triangles in position shown in the drawings. One side of each of the triangles has a notch I19 with which cooperates a spur- I86 fixed to the corresponding cheek Ill At the front of the machine a plate I=8I is notch ZII.

fixed on which. is mounted in a-quickly removtact I87, as shown in Figure 4.

A lever3I'83 is keyed on the shaft .42 and a sleeve 58!! is loosely mounted around the, shaft '89 and has .a projection I 9t situated in the same plan as the lever I83.

sleeve its by the shaft 2'9 takes place through .A catch I92. is

The movement of the the intermediary of a spiral I9I. alsokeyed on the axle I9.

A: pawl IE3 is mounted on an axle I94. Thi pawl has an abutment stem I for engagement by the projection I981 which exercises on it an efiort directed towards the-axle I34. The claw. of the pawl is shown in I96 and: it cooperates with the end of the tap-pet I92.

Between rear of the guiding rails 56'15I an isolating block'ls'l is fixed having a perforation IQS-imwhich a pusher 200 is slidably mounted :to move vertically under the action of a spring I99.

This, pusher has a contact pin EDI, which" oper-' ates the closing or opening of the electric circuits of a motor 202 supported bythe frame on the inside of the machine and of a lamp2Il2. The pusher 200 terminates at its lower end in a head 283 which is opposite one of the three lozenges 22. Through the rod 294 of the pusher is formed an opening .285 which serves for the i passage of a stem or arm .286 fixed to the rear of the. slidingpiece 58. This lug has a notch 2lll. 1

A switch 2B8 permits closing'the electriccircuits of the machine on a suitable source of our- .ablen'ianner a strip of metal I82 serving as a v I guide for the packets .or the like.

'whichpe-rmits operating the tipping' of an os- V cillating chassis, I85 supporting a mercury conrent.- A signal lamp 2% lights up when this I closing takes place. v

Around the shaft 42. on the right hand sideof the machina'a sleeveZIi] is loosely mounted which has its upper-portion formed with a notch 2H ;in the shape of a segment, limited by two The shaft 2I5 similar to the levers I84, and passingthrough a slot 2I5- formed in the supporting plate I M.

are formed through'the supporting plate I8I for permitting the setting in position and the-quick removal of the strip of anglednetal I82. The sleeve'ZIfl has a digit IEIS for engaging the tappet 2I9 of a meter 22d advancing one unit each time the tappet ZIS receives an impetus of the digit 2-I8. .H s v Theoperation of the machine is'as follows:

'In order to supply a stamp to a packet or. the like, for example an envelope, it suffices to place same on the plate Itl and to advance it in such a manner that it pushes back at least one of the levers I84. ,Movement of any of these levers entails ,a corresponding rotation of the shaft 42; the lever I85, keyed on this shaft brings motor 282; which then starts. I Rotation ofthe axle 42 has in addition caused the lever I85,

which' is keyed on it, to turn from a corresponding angle; but the sleeve- ZIB has not turned becauseofthe extent of notch 2| I.

The'starting of the motor entails the rotation of the shaft 19 on which the disc cams I28, I13 and 18 are keyed. Rotation of cam 18 causes displacement of the lever 14 around its pivot 15,

which through the medium of the connecting rod '12, the crank arms H and 10 and the connecting rod 38 causes movement to be imparted to the arm BI. The brake exercised by the blade 66 on contact with the tenon 61 at first prevents the sliding piece 58 from moving under the section of this effort, in such a manner that the arm BI pivots around its pivot 63 until it bears against the front wall of the opening 59. ing this oscillation movement, the end of the flexible claw 64 descends towards a ribbon of stamps I0, and penetrates into a line of perforations separating two adjacent stamps, by means of the space arranged between the ribbon ill of stamps and the bottom 4 of the groove 3 by the rib or ribs of said bottom.

The movement continuing, the sliding piece 58 is pushed towards the front of its guide rails 56 and 51 and the ribbon of stamps II] is carried along a distance equal to the length of a stamp.

This carrying along is easy due to the lineal contact between the ribbon of stamps and the bottom 4 of the groove 3 and also due to the transverse curvature imposed on the ribbon of stamps and which gives it a notable rigidity. The stamp emerging from the groove 3 is directed downwards as shown in Fig. 17, on account of the projection I2, so as to prevent a convex shape towards the top.

The oscillation of the lever 14 has caused,

' 7 through the intermediary of the abutment stem 89, of the tumbler BI and the digit 89 the registration of one unit of the meter 9I93 corresponding to the ribbon of stamps in course of use.

During the period that the ribon of stamps I0 is advancing, the cam disc I28 has, through the intermediary of the lever I24, of the spring I25, of the crank arm I23 turned shaft I20 and caused an oscillation of the arm H9, in contact with the bearing IZI, which has permitted a slight descending movement towards the bottom of the plunger 96 under the action of gravity and a flexible system, such as a spring v(not shown,

for the clarity of the drawings). This movement is limited by the pinching of the pipe 98 between the blades I29 and I30 flexibly induced towards one another by the spring I33.

The moistening roller I51, carried by the connecting rod I59, and having been suitably mois tened in the course of the preceding phase through the rotation of the drums I5II53, is then carried out of reach of this latter by the intermediary of the levers I50, the connecting rods I63, the crank arms I65 and I61, the connecting rod I68 and the lever I59, which oscillates under the action of the cam-plate I13.

Impelled by the action of the springs I15, the axle I58 of the roller I51 follows fixed ramps 22I of the machine of such a shape that in the course of the movement the roller I51 seizes the stamp jutting out of the projection I2 arranged opposite, moistens it and applies it under pressure of the springs I15 against the cap I92 ofthe head of the plunger 96, previously lowered a short distance as has been seen above. No folding of the stamp is to be feared, because of its convex form towards the top. 7

During this movement, the axle I55 has caused the triangles I16 to tip around axles Il1, t he account of the spurs I80.

of tipping for this direction of rotation.

The rotation of the shaft 19 continuing, the I arm H9 continues its movement of oscillation. The plunger 95 remaining immobile, as was mentioned above, the knife I05 is brought down sharply by the play of the slice lever I36. The blade I86 operates the detachment, by cutting, of the stamp jutting out of the projection I2. This cutting is not due to the fact that the rupture is exercised over I a very taut portion of stamp ribbon, on the one hand by means of the penetration of the claw B4 in a line of perforation of the ribbon, on the other hand by means of the application by the spring I15, of the stamp against the cap I02. The previous tension of the portion of stamp ribbon therefore 1 permits the use of a blade knife of ordinary returned to a raised position under the action of the springs H4.

The movement of the shaft 19 continuing, the oscillation of the levers I continues and the moistening roller I51 leaves the cap I92 and completely releases the trajectory of the phmger 96. The axle I 58 now takes hold against the fixed cheeks I11 of. the frame. The oscillation of the lever I59 during this phase sets the pump I95 in suction, so that the moistened stamp is held by suction against the pad I02.

The arm H9 continuing its movement of oscillation towards the bottom engages the plunger 96 bypressure against the bearing ball I22. The

stamp carried by the cap IE2 is then applied against the envelope or other postal packet set on the plate support I81. The presence of the spring I25 ensures an elastic application and permits to take into account the differences in thickness of the packets or the like. On the other hand, the sockets H14 of the pad H12 ensures the latter suppleness, which permits a good application of the stamp, even if the packet is of irregular shape or the stamp is applied at a corner of the packet. The application of the stamp coincides with the setting at exhaust of the pump I00 by displacement of its rod I14, thus completely separating the cap H12 from the stamp.

In the course of the following phase, the oscillation in an upward direction of the arm IIII causes the slice lever I36 to re-ascend the length i of the knife, and the head at the lower end of the lever I31 is engaged over the upper edge I38 of the knife by the plunger 96 being also brought back to its raised position.

Under the action of the cam 11, the arm 6| is impelled towards the rear. movement exercised by the blade on the sliding piece 58, the arm GI swings at first around the axle 63 and the flexible claw 64 moves upwardly from the line of perforations of the ribbon of stamps I0 into which it had been engaged. The sliding piece 58 is then shifted towards the rear to its original position.

Towards the end of the upward movement of the plunger 98, the levers Ifiii oscillate to swing the roller I 51 towards the rear. During this movement the triangles I15 are returned to their original position under action of the blade springs I18, but cannot cause them to swing on The lower sides 222 ofthe triangles I16 therefore guide the axle I58 asfar as the ramps 2 2i theilengthof which it progresses. until the: roller I51 takes up its originalpositionagainv against the drum I53.

During; the rotationof the shaft 19 the sleeve I89 turns: at first, impelled by the spring I91,

until its; projection. I:90= comes: into contact with the abutment I95 of the pawl I93 which stops it.

The rotation continuing, the spiral spring I-"ill tightens-l When the shaft 19- has accomplished almost a complete rotation the tappet I92 keyed to it, causes the pawl: ISIS to swing around its; axle- I 94. The projection I-90-, escaping from the, abutment I95, isthenprojected against the leverv I88 by the-action of spring I9I previously tightenedi To this action is added also that of thespring I52,

Theshaft. 42, on which the lever I88: is keyed,

isthus brought sharply backtoits position ofdeparture. effect of cutting the circuit. of the electric motor by the tipping of the chassis of the mercury contact I8"! and of rapidly moving the levers I34 towards the front. levers I84 ejects the postal packet or the like to whichthestamp hasjust been applied.

Themachine permits the application of stamps of different types. In the embodiment described, the carriage]- has for this purpose, three grooves 3 for accommodating stamps of three values. In the position shown in the drawings, the machine is in position for applying the stamps of the central groove. If it is desired to apply the stamps of another groove, it is merely necessary to pull the arm 43 towards the front, which causes the latch 37 to escape from the notch 351 The wheel 34% is then turned to rotate shaft 33 and bymeans of the cables 25 and 26draw the carriage I along the traverses 2 to the desired position. -When the groove 3, corresponding to the value of stamp required is in position, the latch 31 dropsinto the corresponding notch 36 under the action of the spring 44 and at the same time, the arm 43 is brought back to its original position by the action of the spring 52.

It is not possible to operate the machineif one of the grooves 3 is not in the proper position. 'In fact, in this case, the arm 43 has not regained its bolted position, so that, when a packet or the like is moved along the platform I8I in position to make contact with the levers I84, it cannot push the levers back on account of the engagement of a spur carried bythe shaft 42 with the'rear side of a notch 43* formed in the sleeve H When it is desired to apply another stamp alongside a stamp already applied,the strip I82 has to be removed and its fastening passed through another set of perforations 2". The

packet or the like is set upon the platform against the guide I82 and shifted along the platform, so that the lever 2I5 as well as the sleeve ZIO will turn with the shaft 42. The stamping having been effected in the shown manner and registered locking the reels when the supply of stamps'upon the reel is exhausted. After the laststamp having a postal or other value has been applied, there remains nothing more, in the particular groove,

than a ribbon of paper without value which has a portion wound upon the reels.

vAfter the application of the last stamp, the

This returning movement has the Forward movement of. the:

stem 2% comes back and its notch 20-1 passes opposite tothe pusher 2ll3. This movement is accomplished by the springv I99 which effects a" downward movement. and seeing that the lozenge. 2%. on which-it applies is no longer held by the ribbon of stamps it engages in the openingZl, downward'; This movement breaks, by the pin Zilt the" contacts, closing the circuit for the elect-ric motorZliZ as well as the signal lamp 20-2 I claiml. a. stamp. applying machine, a frame, spools at the rear of said frame forholding stamp ribbons, tracks extending longitudinally of said frame: for receiving ribbons of stamps from said spools, ashelfforreceivlng articles to be stamped, feeding means foradvancing stamps along'one-xof said tracks-in. step by step movements, a. plunger shiftableverticall-y over said platform in front of plunger when advanced, means for moistening stamps adhering to the plunger, means for vertically reciprocating said plunger, a kniie for sev'- ering stamps adhering -'to the' plunger prior to downward. movement of the plunger, and means for actuating all of said means in predetermined timed relation to-each other.

2; In a stamp" applying machine, a frame, a platform at the front of said frame for receiving an article to bestamped, a track extending 1on-' gitudinallyin said frame with its front end overhanging said platform, means for advancing a strip of stamps along said track, a plunger slidable verticallylover said platform in front of said track, pneumatic means associated with said plunger for holding a stamp in engagement with the lower end of said plunger, when active, a knife slidable vertically back of said plunger, and means for reciprocating said plunger during application of stamps to articles upon said platform having means associated therewith for shifting the knife downwardly to sever a stamp.

an article to be stamped, a track extending lon gitudinally in said frame with its front end overhanging said platform, means for advancing-a strip of stamps along said trackpa. plunger slidable vertically oversaid platform in front of said track, pneumatic means associated with said plunger for holding a stamp in engagement with the lower end of said plunger'when active, a. knife slidable vertically back of said plunger, an arm mounted for vertical swinging movement and having lost motion engagement with said plunger for shifting the plunger vertically into and out of a stamp applying position, means for yieldably resisting downward movement of said knife, and

means carried by said. arm for shifting said knife downwardly and then releasing the arm prior to downward movement of the plunger.

4. Ina stamp applying machine, a" frame, "a

platform at the front of said frame for receiving,

an article to be stamped, a track in said frame having its front end overhanging the rear end'of said platform, means for intermittently .advancing a strip of stamps along said track, a vertically disposed guideway forwardly "ofsaid track, a plunger slidablevertically in said guideway and having its upper portion formed with a, vertically extending slot, means for releasably holding a stamp at the front end of a strip of stamps against the under face of said plunger, a knife for severing stamps from said strip slidable in said guideway back of said plunger and yieldably held against downward movement, an arm mounted for vertical swinging movement with its free end portion loosely passing through the slot of said plunger, and a lever pivoted'to said arm and yieldably held in position for engaging said knife and shifting the knife downwardly to a stamp severing position and then releasing the knife during movement of the arm downwardly in the slot into position to engage the plunger and shift the plunger downwardly to a stamp applying position.

5. In a stamp applying machine, a frame, a platform at the front of said frame for receiving anarticle to be stamped, a track in said frame having its front end overhanging the rear end of said platform, a stamp applying plunger slidable vertically in front of said track over the rear portion of said platform, means for shifting a strip of stamps along said track to project a stamp under said plunger, a pump in said frame, a tube extending from said pump to said plunger and communicating with a passage formed through the plunger, means for actuating'said pump to exert suction through the plunger and hold the projected stamp against the under. face of the plunger, a liquid receptacle, means for severing the stamp from said strip, a feed roller rotatably mounted in said receptacle, a delivery roller engaging said feed roller, an applying roller movable from out of engagement with said delivery roller acrossa stamp/held by said plunger to moisten the stamp, and means for reciprocating plunger and into and out of a lowered position for applying the stamp to an article upon said platform.

6. In a stamp applying machine, a frame, a platform at the front of said frame for receiving an article to be stamped, a track in said frame having its front end overhanging the rear end of said platform, a stamp applying plunger slidable vertically in front of said track over the rear portion of said platform, acarriage slidable longitudinally of the track over the same, a vertical rocker arm pivoted to said carriage and having a- 

